Israel initially blocked Jerusalem’s Catholic cardinal from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sparking international outcry and prompting Washington to express concern. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later reversed the ban, though the Vatican expressed dissatisfaction over the restricted access.

Israeli airstrikes on two police checkpoints in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of at least six Palestinians, including one child, according to local health officials.

Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders, including the Latin Patriarch, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The decision has drawn widespread criticism from international leaders, including Italy, France, Spain, and the EU, who have denounced it as a violation of religious freedom.

Articles discuss the traditions and Christian significance of Palm Sunday, also known as Pūpolsvētdiena or Kvetná nedeľa, highlighting its two strong stories and associated customs.